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Winners shine in awards spotlight

Thursday, 3rd May 2012

Melksham firm Valldata is the Wiltshire Business of the Year and James Phipps the CEO of Excalibur Comms (GB), Swindon is the Wiltshire Business Person Of The Year: They beat more than 100 firms in a competition which was sponsored by Newsquest, the owners of the Wiltshire Business magazine and the Swindon Advertiser and the winning trophies were presented at a gala dinner attended by 300 people.

Valldata was formed as a partnership in 1977 providing data capture services.

In 2003 the business re-positioned itself as the specialist provider of choice for charities within the UK, providing outsourced payment processing and fulfilment services.

It has grown significantly since 2003. It is now the leading supporter relationship management company for the charity sector.

“With our expanding teams, dedicated to delivering excellence in everything we do, we aim to achieve even greater results for you through this added power behind Valldata,” said boss Simon Hardman.

“Our knowledge of the charity sector is renowned. Through knowledge comes experience, and through experience comes expertise.

“This expertise has earned us a valued and respected reputation with long-term clients.

The Wiltshire Business awards have been running for more than 15 years and ,despite the economic turndown, were the biggest this year. There were more than 100 entries.

“I am delighted that we have had record numbers this year both in entries and here at our gala dinner,” said Gary Lawrence, the group editor of Wiltshire newspapers for Newsquest, including the Advertiser “Even though it’s been particularly tough in the business market place business awards give the local economy a boost.” “The awards demonstrate that business wants to engage with the public; provide a profile in the market place and a recognition for the people who work that particular business.

“The sponsors are thrilled that we are doing so well and I would like to thank all of them again for their support. Without them we wouldn’t be holding an awards evening.”

The main sponsor for the event was Thrings, which is sponsoring the overall excellence and Wiltshire Business Of The Year Award.

Other sponsors are NatWest (Innovation And Growth); the BBC (Service to the Community); Business West (Small Business); Mainline Employment (Customer and Staff Care);and Monahans (Business Person Of The Year); Eastcott Vets in Swindon (Rural Business of the Year) and an environmental award sponsored by Newsquest.